杓 (sháo) - A ladle, spoon, or dipper & the handle of the Big Dipper (in astronomy)

杓Tone 2

sháo ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 木

傲不

杓 · sháo

A ladle, spoon, or dipper;

the handle of the Big Dipper (in astronomy);

to pull.

A ladle, spoon, or dipperthe handle of the Big Dipper (in astronomy)to pull.

Usage highlights

LadleBig Dipper handleSpoon handleWooden dipperSoup ladleScoop up

Synonyms

  • 勺子— spoon, ladle
  • 瓢— dipper, ladle (made from gourd)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Use a ladle (杓子) to serve the soup.
  • The Big Dipper's handle (斗杓) points north.
  • He scooped water with a wooden dipper (木杓).

Collocations

  • Ladle(杓子)
  • Big Dipper handle(斗杓)
  • Spoon handle(杓柄)
  • Wooden dipper(木杓)
  • Soup ladle(汤杓)
  • Scoop up(杓取)

Idioms

  • Cannot distinguish the bucket from the dipper(不知斗杓)
  • The handle of the Dipper points the way(斗杓指路)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient Chinese astronomy, the 'Dipper Handle' (斗杓) of the Big Dipper was used for timekeeping and seasonal orientation.
  • Traditionally made from wood or gourd, ladles (杓) were essential household utensils.

FAQ